•Daryl and Helena(OC) have been married for two of years. They've watched as all their friends have children while they struggle to conceive. Eventually, Helena falls pregnant, but when Merle visits, drunk out of his mind, he causes injury to pregnant Helena. Is it over before it all began?

•(Re-written from original prompt from PrincessxPunk )

•No smut.

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It had been yet another long day at work for Daryl. Not because the workload was challenging; it had been one of the slowest days, work-wise. It was the fact that yet another of his friends had just announced that their wife was pregnant.

Of course, he was happy for them, but he also felt jealous. He was jealous that all his and his wife's friends were popping babies out like there was no tomorrow.

He knew Helena, his wife, would be upset, too.

As he entered the house, he quickly located his wife, laying on the couch, crying softly. It was evident to Daryl that she had heard of her friend's pregnancy.

"Beth's pregnant." Helena sobbed as Daryl approached her.

The couple had been married two years now and had been trying to conceive since their wedding night, but so far, they had failed in doing so.

It hit them hard; they had expected it to be so easy, but while everyone was happy with their newborn babies, they were disappointed every month.

"I know, baby. Noah told me at work today." Daryl said as he knelt on the floor beside her on the couch and began to stroke her blonde hair from her tear-stained face.

He kissed her forehead. "We'll get there eventually. Just got to keep trying, and you know they said that's always the fun part." He grinned.

She smiled slightly. "Best get to it then, Mr Dixon."

___

Weeks passed, and the young couple were once again in their small bathroom, staring down at two pregnancy tests which Helena had just taken. It was the day before her period was due, but they had both been feeling so hopeful.

"What's it say?" Helena asked as the timer went off.

Daryl picked up the test, his smile only widening. "Pregnant! Baby, you're pregnant." He exclaimed happily.

"Are you serious?" She asked as she snatched the test from his hand.

Clear as day, two pink lines.

"I'm pregnant." She cried as she jumped up and wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist, kissing him hard on the lips.

"I'm so happy." She whispered.

"Me too, baby, me too."

___

Daryl and Helena spent the next few weeks desperately trying to keep their mouths shut about their news. They were both so excited and wanted nothing more than to reveal it to their friends, but they had mutually decided to wait until they had their first scan.

"I can't believe a tiny little baby is growing inside you," Daryl said softly as he ran his large hand over her flat stomach.

She chuckled. "You're adorable."

Daryl was about to say something more when the front door swung open, and Merle stumbled inside, dropping and smashing a bottle of whiskey as he did.

"Merle!" Daryl snapped.

"Great!" Helena grumbled as she went to get the stuff to clean up the mess with.

"It's nice to see you both too." Merle slurred as he stood on the broken glass and approached Daryl.

Helena appeared and went to clean up the mess.

"I'll do it," Daryl said.

"No, it's fine. You sort that idiot out." She said as she glared at Merle.

"Who...you calling an idiot?" Merle slurred.

"You, dumbass." She grumbled.

Merle turned to Daryl and poked him in the chest. "Should really get your women in line."

"Shut up, Merle and get the hell out. You're not wanted here in this state."

Merle held his hands up in surrender and began to back away, falling into Helena as he did and pushing her to the ground.

Merle stumbled but was still standing up as he looked down at Helena. He burst out laughing as she hissed in pain.

"Shit, baby, are you okay?" Daryl asked, panicked as he took her hand and tried to pull her up.

She groaned out in pain. "No." Her face contorted in pain.

"She'll be fine." Merle chuckled.

"She's pregnant, you idiot!" Daryl snapped before turning back to Helena. "We'll take you to the hospital, okay?"

"No, it's fine. I should be fine." She said.

"See, listen to her," Merle said as he leaned against the wall, not seeming to care that he had hurt her.

Helena cried out in pain.

"Okay, hospital it is." She said through gritted teeth.

"I swear, Merle, if she loses this baby, I'll kill you. Get out of my house."

___

"Is the baby okay? Is Helena okay? Is she having a miscarriage? Do I need to kill my brother for hurting her?" Daryl asked all at once as he spoke with the doctor.

"Sir, your wife is fine. There's some spotting, but that's normal. We have done a scan, and the baby seems to be just fine with a strong heartbeat."

"So they're definitely okay?" Daryl asked.

"It seems so. Although I suggest she gets plenty of rest, I'll bring you some leaflets too as you have yet to have your first proper appointment. It explains all the dos and don'ts and what to expect." He said.

Daryl nodded. "Thank you so much. Can I see her?" He asked.

"Of course."

____

"Daryl!" Merle called as he jogged down the hospital corridor.

"What the hell do you want!" Daryl snapped.

"Look, I'm sorry. I can barely remember anything that happened. I just got told Helena was brought here, and you were blaming me for it." Merle explained.

"Yeah, that's because it was your fault. I told you not to turn up at our house drunk, yet you still did! She could have had a miscarriage because you pushed her over!"

"Come on, it can't have been that bad.." Merle laughed.

"Well, it was! She wouldn't be here if not!" Daryl snapped. "You don't even care."

"Look, I'm sorry okay. I won't get drunk and come to your house again."

Daryl scoffed. "How's about you simply never come to my house again, drunk or sober?" Daryl suggested before turning on his heel and walking away.

____

"She's the cutest little thing," Daryl whispered as he gazed lovingly at his daughter, who was sleeping on her mother's chest.

"She is," Helena replied, smiling.

"You have a visitor." A nurse said as she entered the room.

"Probably Rick," Daryl mumbled, focusing solely on his daughter.

"It's okay, send 'em in," Helena told the nurse, who nodded.

The door reopened a few minutes later to reveal the last person they expected to see.

Merle entered carrying a pink balloon and a teddy bear with a pink ribbon around its neck.

"Hey." He said.

"What do you want?" Daryl asked sharply.

"Came to see my niece." He stated.

"The niece you almost killed?" Daryl asked, glaring at him.

Merle tensed. "I'm sorry about that. I really am. I was on drugs and drinking a ton. I'm sober now. Honestly."

"It's okay, Merle. You can see her." Helena said, surprising the pair.

"Hele-"

"Shush." Helena cut Daryl off. "Come see her. She doesn't have a name yet." She told Merle.

Merle stepped forward nervously.

"Wow, she's a cute little thing. Didn't think my baby brother could make anything as pretty as her." Merle said as he looked down at the baby.

Daryl snorted, and Helena giggled.

"You know, I think you should call her Darlene," Merle smirked.

"No way!" Daryl and Helena said together.

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I'm not exactly sure if this is what was wanted, but here it is.

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